Brand, Frederick, the most celebrated of the guitarists of this
name was living in Wurzburg, Germany, at an advanced age in the
year 1880, and was for many years conductor of the cathedral choir
of that city. He was one of the last of the guitar virtuosi and
obtained fame as a player and composer throughout his native land.
In 1816 he was living and teaching in Mannheim, and in that year
married Miss Danzi of this city. He afterwards removed to Frankfort
and Wurzburg and it was in the latter place that he met the
guitar virtuoso Adam Darr. Darr at this time was a private tutor
in the family of an English gentleman who was resident in this city
and it was not long before the two guitar players became known to
each other, an acquaintance was formed that ripened into close friendship.
The two artists performed guitar duos at many public and
private concerts with much success in Wurzburg, after which they
undertook a concert tour together, passing through southern Germany.
In numerous public and private engagements they astonished their
audiences by marvellous performances both in the role as guitar
soloists, in duos for two guitars and also in vocal items with guitar
accompaniments. The flattering notices of praise and admiration
that preceded these two artists from town to town, combined with
the enthusiastic receptions that greeted them in their concerts, gave
the semblance of a series of triumphant marches. In addition to
publishing compositions for the guitar, Brand also wrote several
pieces for the piano. Op. 3, 7, 8, 10, Themes with variations for
guitar solo; Op. 18, Eight simple duets for two guitars; and
numerous dances, operatic airs, etc., and easy compositions, without
opus numbers, for one and two guitars, are published by Pacini,
Paris, and Schott, Mayence ; two volumes of operatic airs for flute
and guitar and numerous collections of German songs with guitar
accompaniment, four volumes of which, in addition to the compositions
enumerated above, are published by Schott, Mayence. A
manuscript composition of Brand for solo guitar with orchestral
accompaniment, written in 1852, was in the possession of the late
Otto Hammerer, of Augsburg, and is a fantasia on a theme from
Bellini's Romeo and Juliet. There is a Method for the guitar by
Brand which is published by Breitkopf and Hartel ; but the christian
name of the author is not known. (Hide extended text)...(Read all)